Our Travel Grant winners’ experience at Cancer Metabolism 2024

PhD student, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Research: Cancer cells rewire their cellular metabolism to cater to their different bioenergetic and environmental demands. My research is focused on the role of an RNA binding protein in regulating glucose metabolism in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

Interaction with Dr Naama Kanarek was the highlight of the conference for me. As a woman in STEM from a very conservative society, walking the tightrope between career and societal expectations is a perpetual challenge. Oftentimes, prioritising your career comes at the price of confronting years of conditioning, especially as a woman from a tiny village in India where research is largely believed to be a career option for men and not women. The absolute grace and conviction with which Dr Kanarek talked to me was the honesty I never knew I needed at this point in my PhD. She quoted examples from her personal life while reassuring me that it is okay to make difficult choices and a month after the interaction with her, the conversation is still very fresh and cherished in my memory.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

Yes! I met with a lot of researchers at different points in their research careers, from master’s students to retired professors and it has been nothing short of an enriching experience. Also, I was offered a postdoctoral position by one of the professors that I interacted with and that is definitely a networking highlight.

How was this conference different from others you have attended?

The entire conference was extremely relevant to my area of research. The talks were very well curated and even the questions at the end of the talks were very scientific and logical. By the end of the conference, I had an overall understanding about the major unanswered questions that are being asked in the field of cancer biology, how various invited speakers are trying to break the bigger questions into smaller, feasible research questions and also their approach towards designing simple but elegant experiments which answer the said questions with clarity.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

Attending the conference gave me a realistic evaluation of the positives and drawbacks in my research work. It was a platform where I could analyse my understanding of my thesis against the vast canvas of the collective work which was being presented in front of me. I was inspired not just by the quality and clarity of the science but often, I found myself in awe of the confidence, presentation style and even the design ideas of the fellow presenters.

When you got home, is there anything from the conference that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

The conference gave me a lot of perspective on Cancer Cachexia, especially the talks by Dr Eileen White and Dr Ayelet Erez. I had very less understanding about their areas of research and throughout their talks, I found myself furiously taking notes. My colleagues were equally excited by the time I finished discussing the key results that they discussed in their talks. I am also planning to present a research article on cancer cachexia in my upcoming Departmental Journal Club. As there is no laboratory which is focussing their research on cachexia as of now in my department, I am hoping it will be an interesting topic of discussion.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

I found the talk by Dr Wilhelm Palm from DKFZ very interesting, keeping in mind the context of my doctoral thesis. There were a few slides during the course of the talk where Dr Palm talked about the dependence of tumour growth on LDHA under different conditions and he also made a few comments on stress hierarchy. As a big part of my doctoral thesis is centred around LDHA, the talk by Dr Palm helped me look at my previous results from a completely different point of view. I have also planned a few experiments after his talk, which I hope will help me put my results into a better perspective.

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PhD student, CECAD, University of Cologne, Germany

Research: Mitochondria are often called the cell’s powerhouse, but fewer people know about the tiny instruction manuals inside them, called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which make them semi-autonomous organelles. My research focuses on understanding how tweaking the function of these genetic elements affects kidney cancer progression and spread. This work aims to unravel the complex role of mtDNA in cancer, paving the way for future therapeutic opportunities.

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

The opportunity to connect with other researchers focusing on cancer from different aspects was a highlight for me in the conference. The feeling of being part of a true sense of cancer community with everyone united by a shared commitment to advance cancer research was very inspiring and motivating. Additionally, hearing about the latest research on cancer metabolism with few works focussing on the role of mtDNA in cancer helped me exchange ideas and discuss other unique approaches to advance my project. Considering that not a lot of groups in my research institute are focussing on mtDNA and its role in cancer, receiving the EACR travel grant aided me engage with researchers and discuss about potential collaborations.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

The EACR Cancer Metabolism Conference brought together a unique cohort of researchers focused on a wide range of cancer biology, from genetic underpinnings to clinical translation. The talks were particularly captivating, each highlighting a breakthrough in cancer research, followed by thought-provoking discussions that deepened my understanding of the concepts. A standout experience for me was the poster session, where I had the opportunity to showcase my own research, receive valuable feedback, exchange ideas, and establish potential collaborations. These interactions are helping me refine my research project further. I encountered a range of innovative ideas, especially in mtDNA research, which, along with conversations with experts in the field, will help me overcome the current bottleneck in my own work. Given my background working at the intersection of tumor biology and AI, discussing ideas with researchers invested in this field inspired me to think beyond traditional biological models and consider new approaches in my research.

When you got home, is there anything from the conference that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

The conference was filled with an abundance of valuable scientific information and fresh perspectives on cancer research, and it took me some time to fully absorb all the insights and ideas shared. As part of a team of basic biologists, medical doctors and computational researchers focused on research spanning from fundamental biology to clinical application, I found myself gathering insights that would benefit the entire lab’s progress.

One of the first things I wanted to share with my colleagues was the collaborative spirit of the conference—the researchers there were genuinely humble and approachable, which made connecting and discussing ideas so much easier.

Scientifically, I was particularly inspired by sessions on in vivo CRISPR screening, innovative immunotherapeutic approaches, next-generation cancer models, and metabolism, which is the primary focus of our lab. These topics offered new directions and potential collaborations that I’m excited to explore with my team.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

Apart from the thoughtfully curated scientific sessions organised by the fantastic team, two events were particularly relevant to me: the ‘Meet the Experts’ session with Naama Kanarek and Marcus Goncalves, and the joint ‘Meet the Editors’ session led by editors from Nature Cancer and EMBO. In the ‘Meet the Experts’ session, the speakers shared both their professional and personal journeys, offering a candid look at the highs and lows of academia. Presented in a relaxed, informal setting, they highlighted the importance of sustainability and time management in overcoming challenges and improving productivity. This session encouraged me to take a more holistic view of my research path and make meaningful improvements in my approach. The ‘Meet the Editors’ session provided invaluable insights into the publishing process. As my research begins to take shape, this session helped me understand the path to publishing and also shed light on alternative career paths after completing a PhD.

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PhD student, King’s College London, UK

Research: My PhD uses a unique type of imaging – positron emission tomography which uses radioactive molecules known as radionuclides. In my research group we attach these radionuclides to molecules which we know are interesting in cancer and my project focuses on the molecule: L-carnitine. My PhD is exploring imaging the utilisation of L-carnitine in lung cancer. This is to understand its role in diagnosing different types of cancers and its potential as a tool to support patient treatments and understand drug resistance.

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

I personally enjoyed meeting likeminded scientists. It was a pleasure to meet other PhD students from all over the world, united by our passion for science, and discuss our projects and lives as PhD students. I thoroughly enjoyed learning new science. As an imaging scientist, the field of cancer metabolism is fairly new to me, so it was intriguing to learn new mechanisms and pathways in cancer. They keynote speakers were all engaging, introducing me to the world of metabolism and their own research areas. It was great to hear from the leading scientists in the field whilst also being able to network with them after talks, as the conference was intimate enough to do so.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

At the first break, I found the solo travellers meet up very helpful and unique to this conference. It allowed me to find fellow PhD students and scientists I could then enjoy the conference and sights of Bilbao with. I also benefitted greatly from the poster pitch and poster session I performed. Through promoting my work as a flash talk I could then benefit from lots of different discussions with people interested in my work and find potential collaborators at the poster session that followed.

How was this conference different from others you have attended?

I think there was a balanced focus on great science and impactful speakers whilst also promoting the work of early career researchers. I found the atmosphere very inclusive and enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the speakers and organisers first hand in coffee breaks. This theme also came across well in the meet expert’s session where I benefitted from asking a question and enjoyed hearing answers to support early career scientists in their journeys.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

I found the new science and latest updates on cachexia research most inspiring and applicable to my project. Particularly the first talk from Eileen White, her research is groundbreaking for the field and is paving the way for new research. I think the attitude of presenting unpublished work made the conference much more interesting and inspiring.

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PhD student, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Brazil

Research: Aggressive B-cell lymphomas are highly glycolytic neoplasms, allowing for staging and restaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET). My research focuses on evaluating 18F-FDG PET features (radiomic features) that objectively quantify 18F-FDG uptake and tumour heterogeneity, as well as their associations with glycolysis-related protein expression and poor prognoses in aggressive B-cell lymphomas. We also aim to evaluate the application of artificial intelligence-based 18F-FDG PET radiomics models combined with known clinical predictors and glycolysis-related protein expression to predict treatment response in this malignancy.

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

It was the first event outside my country where I had the opportunity to present my research findings. For me, the chance to showcase my poster and share the knowledge developed by my research group at an international event focused on our field was what made me most proud.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

Yes, I met a researcher working in a nuclear medicine department in Belgium who will be starting a radiomics study on lung cancer next year. We discussed some of my findings and what she might anticipate from a project focused on radiomics and predictive models. I mentioned that my institution has a large imaging database of lung cancer patients, and she is checking to see if she has archived images of lymphoma patients so we can exchange databases to enhance the robustness and generalisability of both studies.

How was this conference different from others you have attended?

I was impressed by the organisation of the event and the respect for the schedule’s timing. I also particularly enjoyed the “meet the experts,” “meet the editors,” and “poster spotlights” sessions, which I had never encountered at other events.

Did you take part in any interesting local activities in your free time outside of the conference?

Yes, in the city of Bilbao, I was able to explore the Casco Viejo and delve into the history of the city’s origins around the Church of Saint Antón, as well as visit the famous Mercado de la Ribera and the Cathedral of Santiago. I also had the chance to see the most beautiful place I have ever visited in my life, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an island connected to the mainland by a narrow stone bridge and a staircase leading to the top, where there is a hermitage estimated to have originated in the 9th century.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

I am currently pursuing my PhD and planning to publish my first article. Being in an environment with researchers who are actively publishing was a very enriching experience, especially during the “meet the editors” session. There, I had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how the article review process works and to hear from the editors about the key points I should consider for the development and dissemination of scientific material.

When you got home, is there anything from the conference that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

My advisor, who is also a professor at my university, teaches a class focused on the metabolic reprogramming of tumour cells, and one of the materials provided includes several articles by Matthew Vander Heiden. I shared with my colleagues that I met him, we had a conversation, and took a photo together. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain insights directly from a leading expert in the field.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

I really enjoyed the lectures on cachexia. I found it noteworthy that this was a recurring theme throughout the event, and although our research group is the only one focused on cancer metabolism at our institution, we have never explored this topic. Therefore, understanding the importance of cachexia and the current lack of well-defined protocols for its treatment led me to consider the possibility of evaluating this issue in the Brazilian population, specifically among patients at the Barretos Cancer Hospital.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

I would like to express my gratitude once again for the opportunity to participate in the event! I hope to be able to join again in future editions.

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Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Florence, Italy

Research: I’m currently focusing, under the supervision of Prof. Andrea Morandi, on the lipid metabolic reprogramming that occurs in response and resistance to endocrine therapy (ET) and cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors, that are the standard of care for the treatment of the estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Furthermore, I’m also interested in the role of ferroptosis, which is a form of iron-dependent cell death, in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

I was excited at the idea of attending the EACR Congress in Bilbao, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. The conference was dedicated entirely to the field of cancer metabolism, which is my primary area of research. This focus allowed for deep discussions and insights that are directly applicable to my work, specifically related to the lipid metabolic reprogramming that occurs in triple-negative breast cancer.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

One of the standout moments for me was the opportunity to meet Matthew Vander Heiden, a leading figure in the field. His research has greatly influenced my understanding of cancer biology, so it was incredibly inspiring to hear him speak in person. During my talk, he even asked a question, which felt like a significant milestone in my academic journey.

I tried to create a network of potential scientific collaborations and, ultimately, this chance allowed me to get in contact with the best international scientists that will be fundamental for my future.

Did you take part in any interesting local activities in your free time outside of the conference?

In addition to the academic aspects, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Bilbao with my colleague from Florence. One of the highlights was our visit to the Guggenheim Museum and the great food.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

Overall, the conference was not only informative but also fostered meaningful connections with other researchers in the field. It reinforced my passion for cancer metabolism and left me feeling energised about my work. I look forward to applying the insights gained and continuing to collaborate with others in this exciting area of study.

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Postdoctoral Researcher, Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, UK

Research: The aggressiveness of tumours depends on the interplay between the tumour cells and the rest of the cells comprising the tumour microenvironment. Among them, fibroblasts are highly abundant in breast tumours and are known to promote metastasis and resistance to treatment. Therefore, these cancer-associated fibroblasts are a potential therapeutic option. I am investigating which mechanisms lead to the tumour-promoting behaviour of cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer to develop new strategies to target them in combination with other therapies.

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

Cancer metabolism is not my field of expertise and besides all I learnt in the meeting, I would like to highlight having met the community of cancer metabolism researchers because I found it very friendly and collaborative.

How was this conference different from others you have attended?

It had more talks from young investigators than other conferences I have attended before, which I appreciate because it gives the opportunity to share your work in front of an expert audience, but also, they tend to show more unpublished data than senior investigators. It was also the first time the posters were in the same room where we did coffee breaks and lunch, allowing discussion during all the breaks and not only in the ‘poster session’.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

I feel admiration for those researchers that are not afraid of the complexity of studying cancer metabolism and aim to understand the metabolic vulnerabilities of tumours. Hearing their questions and ideas was very inspiring because they go beyond and investigate how metabolism links the interplay between the tumour and the other organs. They made me think of the different organs, such as the lungs, where I can look for metabolic differences in the in vivo models I’m working with.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

While discussing in the poster sessions, I learnt about biotin-based techniques that I could use to detect the targets of the protein I’m working with.

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PhD student, University of Pittsburgh, US

Research: The stromal tumour microenvironment is a non-malignant tissue that surrounds ovarian cancer and support cancer cell growth, proliferation and spread to other organs. We have found that stroma surrounding ovarian cancer help cancer cell by donating their mitochondria and enhancing cancer cell oxidative phosphorylation. My current research aims to understand how mitochondrial form and function of ovarian cancer associated stroma differ from normal stroma and how we can target it to block the stromal mitochondrial transfer towards ovarian cancer cell and eventually halt ovarian cancer growth and proliferation.

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

During my poster session, a professor stopped by, and I explained my research to her. After that, she asked me if I am looking for any post doc positions. She told me that with the kind of research I am doing, there are many labs that would be lucky to have me. It made my day. Hearing that from a professor who just learned about my research was another validation and a confidence boost for me.

How was this conference different from others you have attended?

The cancer metabolism conference was the most focused and relevant conference that I have ever been to. Every single talk was somehow relevant to my research. Coffee breaks were also very frequent unlike in many other conferences that I have been to, which help me remain focused without having to miss much of the talks.

Did you take part in any interesting local activities in your free time outside of the conference?

I got a chance to explore the old city of Bilbao (Casco Viejo). I was in awe of the beauty of the old town. I also stopped by a bakery to try Carolina; a dessert that originated in Bilbao. I also went to the Guggenheim Museum and the architecture was one of a kind. I went to few mazes inside the museum. I went to the museum with a friend that I made in the conference.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

There were a lot of great talks as well as posters on how mitochondrial form and function can influence cancer. There was specifically a talk on how acidosis can affect mitochondrial shape which inspired a new idea for my research. I am now planning to investigate whether lactic acidosis is the cause of the mitochondrial phenotype I am observing in the stromal cells.

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PhD student, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Research: Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that, while effective, also harms healthy cells, especially the fast-dividing cells in our blood system. Blood stem cells are crucial for rebuilding the blood after chemotherapy, but we don’t yet know if these vital cells are also affected by chemotherapy. My research aims to determine whether chemotherapy harms stem cells and whether we can protect or support them by enhancing the health of their mitochondria. This approach could improve supportive care for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

What was a personal highlight of the conference for you?

My personal highlight was the opportunity to present our work during the spotlight and poster session. Thanks to the spotlight session, I connected with a wide variety of researchers at my poster, which allowed me to network with speakers, senior researchers, and other PhD students. Their feedback has given me new insights into how to approach our current research questions.

How has the conference inspired you in your research?

The wide diversity of research topics and the insights on how the speakers approach their research questions provided me with a broad range of techniques that can be applied to address research questions in the field of cancer metabolism. Additionally, this diversity gave me new perspectives on my project, helping me to refine our current hypothesis.

When you got home, is there anything from the conference that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

When I returned, I organised a meeting with our lab members to share relevant papers and interesting techniques for our group. Additionally, I shared the networking connections I made during the conference, which will allow us to learn new techniques and gain knowledge from different institutes to support our own research.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

Before attending this conference, I had only specific knowledge on metabolism and its pathways within the scope of my project. This conference provided me with both basic and advanced knowledge of various aspects of metabolism in cells and organisms across different fields of research. Through numerous networking opportunities I gained new ideas to tackle our current research questions. In my opinion, it was a fantastic conference for learning more about metabolism and building valuable connections!